Elope in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the nation and arguably one of the most beautiful, making it a perfect destination for your mountain (or lakeside) elopement. From deep forest to lake overlooks, there are an endless number of spots here waiting to host the ceremony of your dreams. Whether you want to tuck into a forest of pine trees for a private ceremony or celebrate along the shores of crystal-clear Lake Tahoe, we will help you plan everything you need to for a lovely Lake Tahoe elopement.

Check out what happens after you book your elopement with us

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Why is Lake Tahoe awesome

1

Lake Tahoe boasts sunny summers to vibrant autumn foliage. Elope any time of the year for a stunning ceremony in Tahoe!

2

Elope at a turquoise bay surrounded by glistening mountain peaks or a natural rock outcrop over a lake - your choice!

3

Lake Tahoe is the perfect place for your enchanting and intimate winter elopement!

Places to Elope in Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay State Park Lookout

Emerald Bay weddings have become popular as this Lake Tahoe gem is the perfect place for photography! Emerald Bay elopement sounds tempting when you imagine...

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Sugar Pine Point State Park Pier

Come enjoy spectacular views from the pier on the lake! You can see the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, a historic summer retreat, just up the hill. The...

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Tahoe Paradise Park

A wonderfully secluded spot just south of the lake, the Tahoe Paradise Park wedding venue is a relaxing respite among the trees. Have an intimate...

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Regan Beach West

You might need to put your Regan Beach Lake Tahoe wedding on hold as the spot is temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19. Regan Beach West...

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Logan Shoals Vista Point

The Logan Shoals Vista Point wedding location is exceptional for sunset ceremonies at a private rock enclave that is just off the accessible path. Host...

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Your own dream venue

We can come to you. Do you have a great venue or even an awesome backyard? We can help you find vendors for nearly anywhere in the country

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Revive Coffee & Wine

Revive Coffee and Wine wedding venue offers a serene South Lake Tahoe spot with towering trees and landscaped grounds. Your Revive Coffee and Wine wedding...

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D.L. Bliss State Park Beach

D.L. Bliss State Park Beach – During the warmer months, head to the beach at D.L. Bliss State Park after 6 pm for a relaxing...

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Sand Harbor State Beach

Sand Harbor offers a beautiful balance of a covered Ramada space in case of weather, forested area and sandy beach for stunning pictures. With the...

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Lake Tahoe Elopement Packages

Our packages include everything you will need to have a fun and lovely Lake Tahoe elopement. If you want a minimal ceremony tucked away in the forest, we can swing that.

Or, if you want an all-inclusive elopement package, we can hook you up there as well. Whatever it is you envision, we’d be thrilled to help you elope in Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe

Wildflower Experience

How about a dreamy adventure elopement?

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Add-Ons

You can optionally add the following to your package:

Flowers

Brighten your big day with our unique floral arrangements

Hair & Makeup

  • Starting at $700

Look your very best on the big day by hiring one of our artists!

Extra Photography

  • Starting at $600

Capture every perfect moment by adding hours of photography to your package

Engagement Shoot

  • Starting at $1,000

Every moment leading up to your day is special; book us for your engagement shoot!

On-Site Helper

  • Starting at $600

Hire our crew to stream or take cell phone photos/videos on your day

Relationship Coaching

Strengthen and improve your relationship with our professionals coach

Add videography to your Lake Tahoe elopement

Starting at $1,600

Our videography package comes with an edited 1 – 2 minute highlight reel (perfect for sharing on socials!), as well as a longform, minimally-edited film of the full ceremony.

Simply Eloped has been seen in

Even though weather wasn’t best, our day was everything I wanted. Super intimate. I had no stress over all things wedding. Thank you guys for making it happen for us. Thank you so much.

Laura and Bradley
Laura and Bradley

You guys made this process so stress free!

Jane and James
Jane and James

Everyone was Simply Amazing!!!

Brenna and Jonathon
Brenna and Jonathon

I loved Simply Eloped and they truly live up to the name!! Everything was so easy and I was not stressed one minute of the process!! Usually wedding days seem to be the most stressful but my day could not have been any better!! Everyone on my team was incredible and so talented and passionate about each of their clients! Would 10/10 recommend to anyone!!

Gianna and Garrett
Gianna and Garrett

The team I had was so great and helpful! I appreciate everyone.

Annette and Tim
Annette and Tim

Thank you for making our day special. I had zero stress and it was amazing.

Vanessa and Tommy
Vanessa and Tommy

We had a great experience and I’m telling everyone I know how amazing and easy it was. I hope I can sway a few more couples your way! Thank you for everything.

Lindsay and Andrew
Lindsay and Andrew

This was the first company I came across and didn’t feel like I needed to look anywhere else after learning what Simply Eloped had to offer.

Mary and Dustin
Mary and Dustin

You guys are AMAZING! We want to thank you again for making this the best day of our lives!

Lauren and Daniel
Lauren and Daniel

Meet our vendors

Jordan, Videographer

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Lake Tahoe so special?

I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world that feels so wild, while being so accessible. It’s also pretty incredible that you can get married the day after a snowstorm and it’ll be 40 and sunny!

Tell us about one of your most magical elopements in Lake Tahoe!

Early morning elopement, fog is covering Lake Tahoe, and the island in Emerald Bay is poking out of the clouds. Epic.

Karen, Officiant

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Lake Tahoe so special?

It is easy to get to as well as beautiful.

 

Tell us about one of your most magical elopements in Lake Tahoe!

Many years ago I had a call from a couple who wanted to get married in a hot air balloon. That was pretty special.

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Lake Tahoe?

Logan Shoals Vista Point

Irina, Photographer

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Lake Tahoe so special?

Tahoe is a unique destination, because it has it all: mountains, beaches, the most incredible lake, California vibes and casinos on the Nevada side.

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Lake Tahoe?

Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most breathtaking places i’ve ever been to in my life and the fact that people can get married there is just magical.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I can eat a whole cherry pie for breakfast.

Casey, Photographer

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Lake Tahoe so special?

Tahoe has so much to offer! The lake, mountain views, trees & all the great outdoor amenities!

What do you love about the work you do?

I love meeting all the people!!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m renewing my vows this year in Greece!

Our Team

Allison
Allison
Customer Experience Manager
Carol
Carol
Officiant
Irina
Irina
Photographer
Casey
Casey
Photographer
Karen
Karen
Officiant
Meghan
Meghan
Officiant
Stephanie
Stephanie
Hair and Makeup
Casey
Casey
Photographer
Margie
Margie
Officiant
Logan
Logan
Videographer
Jordan
Jordan
Videographer
Lynne
Lynne
Ceremony Coordinator
Nicki
Nicki
Ceremony Coordinator
Amber
Amber
Ceremony Coordinator
Josh
Josh
Lake Tahoe
Allison
Allison
Customer Experience Manager
Carol
Carol
Officiant
Irina
Irina
Photographer
Casey
Casey
Photographer
Karen
Karen
Officiant
Meghan
Meghan
Officiant
Stephanie
Stephanie
Hair and Makeup
Casey
Casey
Photographer
Margie
Margie
Officiant
Logan
Logan
Videographer
Jordan
Jordan
Videographer
Lynne
Lynne
Ceremony Coordinator
Nicki
Nicki
Ceremony Coordinator
Amber
Amber
Ceremony Coordinator
Josh
Josh
Lake Tahoe

How do I legally elope in Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe straddles the California/Nevada border, meaning that, depending on which state your venue is located in, each state’s laws will dictate what you’ll need in order to get your marriage license to make your Lake Tahoe elopement legal. In both states you will need a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID. Neither state has a waiting period, meaning you can get married the same day as you receive your license. Both states also require a minimum of one witness, which your photographer can happily act as. When you book with us, we’ll also send you a specific guide with county information on how to ensure your ceremony is legal. Easy peasy!

How much does it cost to get married in Lake Tahoe?

Depending on which side of Lake Tahoe you’ll be eloping can dictate the cost to some degree. While you can plan a ceremony at a very affordable price ($500 or less) if you’re looking for a no-frills wedding day, incorporating additional details and vendors to your day can increase costs into the thousands. For instance, a base Lake Tahoe elopement package that offers officiation services is $400, but our Oasis Package, which features an officiant, a photographer, a videographer, flowers, videography, hair and makeup and a ceremony coordinator comes in at $3,900. It’s entirely up to you in terms of what you’ll be budgeting for for your big day. You’ll also want to make sure you take into account other essentials, such as travel expenses, hotel and accommodations, the cost of dining, and transportation to and from your venue – all which can vary in cost depending on which state you’ll be planning your elopement. Be sure to keep in mind the cost of marriage license fees as well!

What time of day should you elope in Lake Tahoe?

It’s crucial to remember that Lake Tahoe is enfolded by mountain ranges at every turn, meaning that the time of sunset doesn’t necessarily reflect the time the sun dips behind the mountains. You’ll want to make sure that your ceremony is held during a time where there is ample light. We highly recommend planning to elope late morning or early evening, as mid-afternoon creates harsh lighting, not to mention generally hot days in the summer!

When should I elope in Lake Tahoe?

Each season in Lake Tahoe offers its own wonders. Spring in Tahoe is everything you expect of a mountain town: sunny days and chilly nights and the fresh smell of rain in the air; summers are hot but beautiful, though it’s definitely the busiest time of the year for this small town. It goes without saying that fall is absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors of changing leaves all around. We love our winter ceremonies just as much as we love the other times of the year, though it should be noted that the primary challenge with eloping in winter is that we are very limited on the types of outdoor venues we can perform ceremonies at due to heavy snow. You’ll definitely want to keep in mind that during winter, some locations are closed or  inaccessible. Though, if you do choose to elope in Lake Tahoe during the winter, you’ll have far less competition with a crowd meaning your ceremony will be even more intimate. It all depends on what you’ve envisioned for your day, and what you ultimately prefer for your climate and ceremony backdrop.

Where can I get married in Lake Tahoe?

Finding the perfect spot to elope in Lake Tahoe can be tricky, mainly because there are so many locations that fit the bill! Tahoe straddles both California and Nevada, so depending on which side you choose to elope may dictate who you hire for your ceremony as well as the specific details regarding your marriage license. South Lake Tahoe elopements are by far the most popular, but there are also a ton of stunning areas in North Lake that should not be missed. We’re particularly fond of spots like Emerald Bay State Park – a blue-turquoise bay encircled by glistening mountain peaks that offers a stunning view of the bay and Fannett Island – and Logan Shoals, which features a private rock enclave just off the accessible path that’s perfect for an intimate ceremony.

Janessa White

Article written by

Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot. She feels her happiest when building - teams, programs, ideas

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Read the real stories of couples who eloped in Lake Tahoe!

Choosing a destination to share your vows can sometimes be a tough decision, but for Lindsay and Andrew, they knew just the place. After living in Lake Tahoe for a short while after one of his deployments, Andrew found himself feeling relaxed and tranquil, and has a strong connection to the place to this day. They knew that a Lake Tahoe ceremony was exactly how they wanted to start their forever together. Read all about their elopement – and the details leading up to it – below!

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

We started out just talking, but Andy was going on a month-long cross country ski trip and I had just bought a one way ticket to Boca Raton. We both figured we’d text here and there but would probably never see each other again.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

We definitely did our research. We read so many reviews and followed so many couples’ stories. Everyone was so happy – you could just see it on their faces. We knew eloping was what was right for us.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

It was absolutely amazing. The communication was wonderful, and the coordination and attention to detail was unreal. I was so very impressed with every aspect of the behind the scenes process.

How did you celebrate after?

With a romantic dinner and a very nice bottle of wine. And cake! Lots of cake!

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Do it! The day should be about you and your love and starting your life together. Eloping puts all the focus on just that.

If you’ve built a strong bond like Kassadie and John, you know that choosing to tie the knot is one of the easiest decisions you’ll ever make. From the moment they met, they felt a strong connection. Over time, that connection developed into so much more: love, family, and a feeling of certainty. When Covid changed their original wedding plans, they knew they didn’t want to wait any longer. These two lovebirds decided to keep their date, and invited close family to a favorite childhood spot – Tahoe Paradise Park. It doesn’t get any better than saying “I do” in Paradise! Keep reading to see how Kassadie and John created a wedding in Lake Tahoe to remember.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

I was googling “small wedding options” online, and came across Simply Eloped.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

It seemed so perfect and seamless. Since we are planning on having another wedding next year, the less we had to think of the better. Simply Eloped made everything so easy!

What attracted you to the idea of a wedding in Lake Tahoe?

I’m originally from Northern California and Tahoe is somewhere I hold dear from all the trips with my family. I wanted John to be apart of that. As for the actual venue, the tree at that location drew us in and we knew we wanted to get married under it.

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement? 

Before the wedding, we traveled from where we live in Las Vegas with our daughter and spent time with family and friends. We tried to keep everything as simple as possible. We were so excited for the day and it turned out better than we could have expected. It was perfect!

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Do whatever feels right. Don’t try to make everyone happy. This moment is for you and your love, and it should be what you want it to be – no matter what that is.

Clarissa & Tony may have moved on after being high school sweethearts but they never forgot each other. Years later, they reunited and realized they were soulmates! Tony arranged a magic proposal at Disneyland and Clarissa said, ‘yes’! The newly engaged couple decided they wanted to elope somewhere just as magical. Clarissa & Tony, along with family, exchanged vows overlooking the exquisite views at Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. We love that the two of them came in style for their naturally beautiful outdoor elopement. Tony wore a black tux and bowtie while Clarissa was gorgeous in her spectacular gown and veil. Read more to find out how Simply Eloped planned every detail of this special day and made sure that the newlyweds never had to worry about a thing.

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination?

Clarissa: We decided to elope at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe! We wanted to have another magical destination to start our journey as husband and wife. Lake Tahoe is so beautiful and we knew it was the perfect location for us.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Clarissa: If you like the outdoors and nature, a Lake Tahoe elopement is the perfect choice. You will forever have your memories and can go back again and celebrate one of the happiest days of your life. We will forever cherish our spot and plan to come back to celebrate anniversaries in the future.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Clarissa: We had a beautiful dinner and some cake, of course, with our family at a local restaurant.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping? 

Clarissa: If you are not sure about eloping, we can definitely tell you it is the most amazing way to get married! It will be much more intimate, and all about the two of you, instead of having to be all over pleasing so many guests and not really enjoying your day as a couple. You will have a much better memory of the day you become husband and wife. We are very happy we chose to elope. One of the best days of our lives!

Alisa & Nick had a very unusual start to their relationship…her Dad helped get them together! A rock festival weekend cemented their friendship, and that turned into love. They knew from the get-go that they would elope because they wanted their ceremony to be unique – just for the two of them. So they found Simply Eloped, and voila! – they married at the Revive Garden in Lake Tahoe. Alisa & Nick wed under the towering trees in casual elegance. We love Alisa’s gorgeous bouquet, Nick’s bowtie and suspender look, and the hilarious Covid masks. Read more to find out how these two tied the knot without stress (and be sure to check out the bride’s sneakers!)…

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement?

Alisa: Revive Coffee and Wine was the perfect place for us. We both love coffee and craft beer which the venue provided. The venue gives, off a real outdoor forest vibe. The staff made us feel so comfortable and congratulated us on our big day. It was a wonderful experience.

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Alisa: We decided to make a whole trip out of our elopement. We got a room with The Cottage Inn in Tahoe City. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing our room was. They provided us with incredible detail and care, knowing our big day was coming. They helped us so much. We also enjoyed a lot of the local businesses and shopped. The restaurants in the area were great as well. We essentially wined and dined while looking back on our relationship and why we decided to tie the knot! It helped with the nerves. We wanted everything to go perfectly, and Simply Eloped made that happen.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day! 

Alisa: Simply Eloped was probably one of the most professional, fast-acting businesses I’ve ever experienced. All of our needs were met on our big day. Not a single detail was missed!

Lauren & Daniel met at a  country bar and totally fell for each other. They had a magical proposal trip at Disneyland, and everything seemed to be going perfectly. Covid-19 put a stop to their big wedding day. The couple could only see uncertainty ahead, so they decided to elope. Lauren & Daniel, with the help of Simply Eloped, wed at Emerald Bay State Park in Lake Tahoe with less than 24 hours of planning. They put a new twist on a whirlwind elopement! Finally, everything fell in place as they exchanged romantic vows in the fresh snow. These newlyweds had an intimate elopement that took all the stress away from the big wedding.

Why did you decide to elope? 

Lauren: One word: Covid. Our big wedding was planned for May. In February, we had no idea what life would be like in May, and planning was getting harder. So we decided just to get married.

How did you find Simply Eloped? 

Lauren: Google search of Special Elopements in South Lake Tahoe.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you? 

Lauren: Simply Eloped made wedding planning extremely easy! They had everything put together for us. Starting from the first conversation, Keely was super helpful and nice about answering all our questions.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? 

Lauren: We consider South Lake Tahoe to be one of our favorite getaways. It’s absolutely beautiful and full of activities.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day! 

Lauren: Keely is amazing!!! She answered every question I had at any hour of the day. She planned everything at such short notice (literally 24-hour notice). She made everything so easy. We feel like we didn’t have any wedding stress on our big day! Keely just sent us a pinpoint of our location and told us to meet our officiant and photographer at a specific time. So stress-free!!

Elizabeth and Christoper had already planned a large, traditional wedding several times due to Covid-19 when they decided to stop the crazy! They turned to Simply Eloped to design a stunning elopement around their vision of how a wedding day should look. They chose to have still a wedding party as well as a walk down the aisle for Elizabeth. The ladies looked lovely in stylish coats over their dresses, and every detail was perfect, right down to the inscriptions inside the rings. Elizabeth & Christopher made something beautiful happen despite all the obstacles! Enjoy seeing the amazing Lake Tahoe views that were the backdrop for this elopement and how planning was a breeze with Simply Eloped.

 

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination?

Elizabeth: Lake Tahoe at Logan Shoals Vista Point. We chose this venue because it has a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe and we love the mountains. It was within a two-hour drive from our home and made for an easy elopement trip.

 

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there? 

Elizabeth: The trees and scenery were beautiful, and the spot was available in the afternoon, which allows for better photo opportunities. It also had easy access as my mother joined us for the ceremony, and she has mobility issues. We wanted a venue in nature but not something that would be a long hike.

 

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Elizabeth: It was very easy to find using online directions (Google Maps), and the extra directions provided by Simply Eloped were very helpful. We were able to stay at a vacation rental in South Lake Tahoe and only had to drive 20 minutes to the venue. There was a sign, and it was very easy to find and park right off the highway.

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Elizabeth: We drove up the evening before and settled into our vacation house. We had a nice dinner with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law. The six of us enjoyed the house, had breakfast the next morning, and relaxed until we all got ready early in the afternoon. It was wonderful as Simply Eloped arranged for our flowers to be delivered and for the makeup artist to come to the house. I felt less stress on the ‘day of’ than I had previously anticipated. It went so smoothly.

 

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Elizabeth: We had a wonderful experience with Simply Eloped and, honestly, cannot think of anything that could have handled our wedding better. I greatly appreciated the ample communication during the months and weeks leading up to our ceremony. I focused on the two of us getting our outfits and ourselves ready for our wedding day. All of the vendors we had assigned to us were wonderful and communicated openly with us about all the details. They made sure that everyone was clear about the ceremony specifics. We had already made deposits in 2020 for our March 2021 wedding as we were expecting Covid to be over by then. In January 2021, when things were not coming together, we had to make the decision to postpone our wedding to March 2022. I love how Covid-19, and the times, are changing what elopement means and what is possible with an elopement. We had only four months until our wedding day, so I don’t know what we would have done if we had not found Simply Eloped. As the main wedding planner and bride, I was already exhausted from planning our large wedding and going through Covid-19 transitions. I also work, go to school, and care for my other half. Simply Eloped made the entire experience seamless and stress-free.

 

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Elizabeth: After our ceremony, we went back to the house and cut our wedding cake. We ordered take-out from an amazing restaurant in the area. Chris and I arrived at the house to find that our family had dinner plated and the table beautifully decorated. We cut the cake, took a few pictures, and then everyone changed into comfy clothes and had dinner together. We all toasted to the day and the occasion! The next day, our family left so we could enjoy having the house all to ourselves. Our ceremony date was March 20th, which was special to us as my birthday is March 17th and Chris’s birthday is March 22nd. So we celebrated our birthdays by going snowmobiling and to the casinos! The morning we left, it was lightly snowing, and this made for more beautiful memories.

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Elizabeth: Don’t worry about anyone else’s expectations or any previous ideas you have had about what weddings are supposed to be. Your imagination is the limit. It’s the two of you and your day, so make it everything you want it to be and don’t look back. Also, put the time into your relationship before your elopement and get to know your partner. There are many great date night books that have questions to talk to your future spouse about that deal with all the important parts of life. We did several sessions of pre-marital counseling that anyone can do, whether they are religious or not, and it helps. The fairy tales and movies are not real. Marriage takes work, but all of that work is so worth it to experience a lifelong love. A selfless, unconditional love that only the two of you hold for each other.

Officiation by: Karen Linsley
Photography by: Nicole Moore
Hair & Makeup by: Emily Van Scoy
Flowers by: Rose Petals
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Logan Shoals Vista Point, Lake Tahoe

Kimberly & Maxime are a modern couple who fell in love through a dating app. But when it comes to their mutual love of national parks, they really excel – recording their visits in a special book. So it is not surprising that they chose to wed in a national park!  Their Emerald Bay elopement is picture-perfect at the crown jewel of Lake Tahoe, with shimmering blues and greens against the blue skies. Kimberly & Maxime are perfect in boho chic. The bride’s gown is a lace-work of art. We love that Simply Eloped helped this couple create their stunning elopement vision. Find out why they were over the moon about exchanging their vows in the California mountains.

 

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Kimberly & Maxime: We met in a very modern-day way on a dating app called Hinge. Kim’s first impression of Max was that he was funny and patient because she was 30 mins late for their date. Max’s first impression of Kim was that she was well-spoken and very smart.

 

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Kimberly & Maxime: Max proposed on a mountain top in Ashville, NC, after a very long hike. It was beautiful and perfect. Kim said, “Of course!”

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination? 

Kimberly & Maxime: We chose South Lake Tahoe after finding Simply Eloped. We thought the location was the best for us because it was a destination we had never been to that had both the mountain and the water views.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite moments about eloping there?

Kimberly & Maxime: We eloped in Emerald Bay. We LOVE national and state parks. We even have a book where we keep track of each one we have visited. We felt that exchanging vows at Emerald Bay, amongst nature, was the best way to start our marriage.

 

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there? 

Kimberly & Maxime: Stunning! Emerald Bay is too beautiful to describe simply.

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement? 

Kimberly & Maxime: We spent the day with our friends and family at a BnB getting ready. Kim was with hair and make-up artists for a couple of hours in between. We were both relaxed and excited. Eloping was really the best way for us to enjoy our wedding day fully, with no stress at all.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped? 

Kimberly & Maxime: Simple! They put everything into motion for us, connected us with the best vendors in the area, introduced us to our team, handled everything down to the permit with the State Park. It was a breeze!

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Kimberly & Maxime: We went out for dinner with our family and friend at Gar Woods Grill & Pier on the water. It’s a great spot for anyone in Tahoe!

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Kimberly & Maxime: DO IT! Book the trip; elope, do what you truly want for your special day. Eloping was so special because we exchanged vows in the mountains, just like we always wanted. By eloping, we could truly enjoy every aspect of our day. It wasn’t about anyone else or what anyone else wanted. It was about us, starting our lives together just as every wedding should be.

Officiant: Meghan Ruiz
Photography by: Irina Alexandrova
Hair & Makeup: Emily Van Scoy
Florist: Rose Petals
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Emerald Bay State Park Lookout, Lake Tahoe

Natalie & Corey met online, but a random text nearly derailed their love story! Destiny intervened, and a sunrise proposal on a beach in Florida followed. These two describe themselves as ‘mountain and lake people,’ so it’s no surprise they decided on a Lake Tahoe elopement. They exchanged vows on a spectacular lookout over the blue waters and skies of Emerald Bay State Park in California, with a violinist serenading in the background.  It’s not often we can say the groom is just as pretty as the bride (in a manly way, of course!), but the floral shirt and cowboy hat are perfect. Natalie upped the game with a gorgeous gown and the prettiest hair jewelry we have ever seen. Don’t miss the photo of these two shotgunning right after the ceremony and finding out how Simply Eloped took care of everything.

 

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Natalie: We met online. That, in it of itself, may not be that unique, but we have a quirky first date story. On the first date, Corey asked to see a picture of my dogs and, while I was pulling them up, he ran to the restroom. I sent a group text to my friends stating, “Oh my gosh, I want to marry him- haha.” Because of the last not-so-great online dates I had been on, my best friend thought I was being sarcastic and responded, “Bad date?” When Corey returned, I showed him the pictures of my dogs, and he saw the message pop up on my screen, “Bad date?” He shrugged it off and never mentioned it to me, and on Valentine’s Day, I showed him the original message that prompted that. It turned out to be a funny story that we like to talk about and tease my best friend that she almost messed it up for us.

How did you propose or accept the proposal? 

Natalie: It was on my bucket list to see the sunrise on the beach, and Corey proposed to me at dawn on the beach in Florida.

Corey: On a sunrise walk on the beach.

 

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination?

Natalie: We chose Lake Tahoe, CA. We are more mountain and lake people. Corey and I had never been to Lake Tahoe, and during the summer, we felt it was a perfect spot. It was close to water, mountains, and access to a lot of trails to hike!

Corey: Lake Tahoe. We chose this destination because we love the mountains and the lake. The pictures of Emerald Bay were beautiful, and we thought it would be the perfect place to get married and have a honeymoon!

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

Natalie: Our ceremony was at a lookout at Emerald Bay State Park in Lake Tahoe, CA. We saw pictures on the Simply Eloped website and fell in love with the views! The photos turned out really great.

Corey: The venue overlooked the lake surrounded by mountains. We thought it would be great to have our pictures and video done there.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Natalie: Emerald Bay State Park has great lookout spots. Our favorite lookout is surrounded by mountains overlooking an island in the lake and has an abundance of trees and waterfalls.

Corey: The mountains are spectacular at Emerald Bay State Park. It is close to the water so you can see a lot of the lake from several lookout points. There is also water access by way of a short hike.

 

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Natalie: Our sisters flew out the day before the wedding. Corey and I went on a hike the morning of and met our sisters for a nice brunch. I went (to Rah Hair Studio at the Edgewood Hotel and Resort) for hair and make-up. I got dressed at our Condo, and we carpooled to the ceremony. I was excited to have our ceremony in such a beautiful spot and say I do with Corey.

Corey: We went on a nice hike the morning of the wedding to spend time in nature. Fortunately, there were no bear sightings, so we went for a pancake breakfast. When Natalie went to the hotel for hair and make-up, I thought about the ceremony and how truly blessed I felt to marry my best friend, and the love of my life, in such a beautiful place. I thought about what this next step meant to me, the life I wanted us to have, and the husband I wanted to be.

 

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Natalie: We had a great experience with Simply Eloped. Going through a lot in 2021, it was so nice having the entire wedding planned in just a few minutes after a few clicks. There were a lot of options to choose from to build a perfect package.

Corey: Leading up to the ceremony, they were great to work with, and it was great that they helped us plan the ceremony exactly how we wanted it. At the ceremony, the vendors were incredibly helpful, professional, and talented.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Natalie & Corey: After the ceremony, we shotgunned some beers and went to dinner with our sisters. It was a great time.

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Natalie & Corey: Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful, and you can put a lot of pressure on yourself. Having an elopement is intimate and specific to your wishes.

Officiation by: Carole Baisinger-Criddle
Photography by: Irina Alexandrova
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Emerald Bay State Park Lookout, Lake Tahoe

Updated: May 17th, 2023

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